What I'll Remember about 2010: THE PLAYERS military tribute

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Tim McGraw performs for military members and golf fans at TPC Sawgrass.

PGATOUR.COM asked its staffers and freelancers what they will remember about the 2010 season. For the archived list of essays, click here.

There's a line in a Tim McGraw song that says, "I don't know why they say grown men don't cry." In the lyrics, the country singer gets choked up after seeing a mother and son who live in their car.

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• Click here for more essays • What will you remember? • McGraw performs at PLAYERS

McGraw might have to add another verse after his Wednesday visit to the 2010 PLAYERS Championship for Military Appreciation Day. After the star sang five of his most popular songs for members of the armed forces, their families, and golf fans in front of the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse, Commissioner Tim Finchem had a special surprise.

Trudy Thompson, an expectant military wife, did not think her husband would make it for the birth of their second child. But Petty Officer Fabian Thompson, who had been overseas on the USS Sullivan, came out to surprise her. The crowd cheered as the couple embraced on stage, and few were able to hold back tears.

"Words cannot express how I feel right now," said Petty Officer Thompson. "I found out only two days before flying out."

The moment was one of many unforgettable experiences for members of the military at THE PLAYERS Championship. The ceremony featured a goosebump-inducing Blue Angels flyover, a perfect performance of the "Star Spangled Banner" by 4Troops (a quartet made up of former members of the military) and McGraw's five-song concert.

Other expectant military wives also benefited from THE PLAYERS military program "Operation Shower". On the Saturday before the tournament at TPC Sawgrass, and with the help of the March of Dimes, 35 soon-to-be mothers received gifts in a TOUR-hosted baby shower. All of their husbands were not expected to make it back for the birth of their children.

TOUR events and pros spend time and money supporting the U.S. troops throughout the year. TOUR staff members frequently send care packages -- many full of the ever-popular Girl Scout cookies -- to troops overseas.

Former PLAYERS Champion Hal Sutton is just one player who appreciates all that the armed forces do for the U.S. He said on Military Appreciation Day, "Not too many people know this, but when I was Ryder Cup captain I chose a color from each branch of the military to make up our uniforms. We may not have won the Ryder Cup that year, but we wore our colors with honor."

For those fortunate enough to be in the audience -- including myself -- at TPC Sawgrass that day, it was truly an honor ... and a tear-jerker.